Pope Urges Global Leaders To Forgive The Debt Of Poorer Countries

After his traditional New Years’ Day Angelus prayer, Pope Francis issued a powerful call to political leaders, urging them to set a good example by canceling or significantly reducing the debts of the poorest countries. Speaking to a packed St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis reiterated his strong stance against war, asserting that it always leads to destruction, Vatican News reported.

Following his traditional New Year's Day Angelus, he issued a plea to world leaders. He said that no country or people should be crushed by debt.“God is the first to forgive debts, as we always ask in the ‘Our Father,’" Pope Francis said. "The Jubilee calls us to translate this forgiveness into social terms so that no individual, family, or people is crushed by debt. I encourage leaders of nations with Christian traditions to set an example by canceling or significantly reducing the debts of the poorest countries.”

The Pope expressed his heartfelt gratitude to those working diplomatically in conflict zones around the world to promote justice and peace. “I deeply thank all those who, in the many regions affected by conflict, are dedicated to dialogue and negotiations,” he said. “Let us pray for an end to all fighting and for a renewed focus on peace and reconciliation. My thoughts are with those in war-torn Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Myanmar, [North] Kivu, and many other areas of conflict.”

He also referred to the Italian television program A Sua Immagine, where he had seen images and footage illustrating the devastation caused by war. “Brothers and sisters, war destroys,” he said and urged that no country or people should be crushed by debt. “It always destroys! War is always a defeat. Always. I offer my heartfelt appreciation to all those working for peace,” he added.

He sent his warmest wishes to Italian President Sergio Mattarella, hoping for every good thing in the new year and assuring him of his prayers. In his New Year's address to the nation the evening before, Mattarella echoed the Pope's message, highlighting the importance of the 58th World Day of Peace and its call to the conscience of all. “Everyone—Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, civil and religious authorities—must confront the wounds of the world, the troubling social and economic divisions, and the growing threats to peaceful development among nations,” Mattarella stated. On behalf of the Italian people, he embraced Pope Francis’s ongoing calls for urgent and bold actions to secure peace and tackle challenges such as migration, environmental degradation, and the risks and opportunities presented by new technologies.